A quick look to Shap

I was over on the island of Shapinsay for a while to day so needles to say I managed a very quick look about before I had to come away.

Heading out from Kirkwall The day was already beginning to dull down. The forecast was for rain coming in the afternoon then remaining for the rest of the day. How come they are so often right with the rain but struggle to predict a bit of sun? Anyway the sea was a slate grey and quite devoid of birds. The fields above the Carrness shore held plenty of Greylags and the shore the occasional gull and Redshank. It was all very slow, the biggest flock of Dunters was only 15 strong, there were a few Long tailed ducks and a single Black Guillemot. Thieves Holm was a bit more occupied with a covering of mainly Greater Blackbacked Gulls and Herring Gulls holding the lowish high ground. A few Curlew were stood quietly around. The rocks of the shore were of more interest holding both Shag and Cormorant together. Eiders were spread all along the shore keeping to the rocky edge out of the flowing tide or hauled right up on the rocks where the males stood out starkly with there light plumage. Black Headed Gulls and Redshanks were the othere birds on the shore line. It was all nice and close from the ferry tho. Beyond Thieves Holm I caught sight of the first bonxie of the year. I was well chuffed to see it as its another step towards spring.

At one time Thieves Holm as the name suggests was a place you would not want to go. Not having a prison on the islands miscreants would be taken to this small empty island and be thrown ashore with bread and water and left to it. They would be resupplied when it was time and that was there lot no cover no fire. Looking at the island from the shore it seems no distance to the shore but the tide is so fierce that any escape attempt would end in a watery grave…How times have changed in the criminal justice system!!

On Shap its self I had a spin into the hide over RSPB milldam. There were good flocks of Widgeon on the water and grazing the fields. The fields were also thick with grazing Greylags. Teal were well represented and quite evenly spread about. Most of the usual suspects were about but I was pleased to see 17 Shoveller spread across the loch in three loose groups.

We ventured down the track to the Ouse but with the low tide every thing was a bit far for the bins in the wind and increasing rain. There were plenty of waders about and I counted 25 Shellduck as they were easy to count. The bottom of the track looked like a nightmare so we turned half way and beat a retreat. It was a fine enough spy about tho and you have to grab what you can get. I hope next time to be over for a longer look.